Common Questions about VA Benefits

1. Who do I see on my campus about resources for veterans?
2. What do I need to start my VA educational benefits at CCAC?
3. Do I need to come to Military and Veterans Services every semester?
4. What classes will the VA pay for?
5. How does CCAC bill the VA?
6. Can I get college credit for military service?
7. As a veteran, how do I obtain in-state residency?
8. Can I change my program of study?
9. How long will it take to receive my VA benefits?
10. Are VA educational benefits taxable?
11. What happens if I drop a course during the semester?
12. What is VA Work-Study and who is eligible?
13. I receive Chapter 30, 1606, 1607 or VRAP educational benefits and have to verify my enrollment each month. How do I do that?
14. How many credits do I have to take in order to be a "full time" student by VA standards?
15. What programs offered through CCAC are approved for VA funding?
    
    

1. Who do I see on my campus about resources for veterans?
Each CCAC campus has appointed a Military and Veterans Services Representative to address the needs of veterans on campus. Please see the Contact Us section of this website for your campuses Veterans Services Representative.

2. How do I to start my VA educational benefits at CCAC?
Read our Getting Started section of this website.

3. Do I need to come to Military and Veterans Services every semester?
You do not need to physically come to CCAC; however, you must connect with your Military and  Veterans Services representative each semester. They will direct you to CCAC's benefits request form. Only classes that are certified will be paid.

4. What classes will the VA pay for?
When starting your enrollment with the Military and Veterans Services, you will declare your Program of Study located in the Course Catalog. Only classes on your Program of Study will be authorized and approved for payment by the VA.

5. How does CCAC bill the VA?
The Veterans Services Center must certify or bill the VA first just for your credit hours, so they can begin processing your Monthly Allowance for Housing (MAH) stipend. This will ensure that your monthly living allowance is not delayed. Then, after census date (the last day to drop/add; see academic calendars), our office will bill them again for your tuition and fees. 

This allows students to change their schedules appropriately before we bill the VA for their tuition and fees in order to prevent payment issues. Originally, our office billed the VA each time a student made a schedule change, which resulted in many overpayments, debts, and confusion. Now that we wait until after the census date, schedules are more final and we only have to bill the VA once for tuition and fees, which helps mitigate a lot of the payment issues that students were previously facing.

6. Can I attain college credit for military service?
Veterans who are matriculating students may earn up to 30 credits in United States Armed Forces Institute courses, in which they have passed final exams, and for other military education and training. The decision regarding the granting of credit for these courses resides with CCAC.

7. As a veteran, how do I obtain in-state residency?
Any veteran who is honorably discharged with Pennsylvania as their home of record (located on their DD-214) and/or veterans who have a PA driver's license may be eligible for in-state tuition.

8. Can I change my program of study?
Yes, but you must complete VA Form 22-1995 or 22-5495 and submit it to our Veteran Services Department. In addition you must change your major with CCAC

9. How long will it take to receive my VA benefits?
First-time applicants should expect to have to wait at least 6 to 8 weeks from the time the enrollment certification is sent before payment is received. Continuing students will be processed quicker provided there have not been any changes in program or address. Keep in mind that Chapter 35 and Chapter 1606 (MGIB- Selected Reserves) certifications are not processed until the first day of the enrollment period even though the certification may have been received by the VA Regional Office earlier.

10. Are VA educational benefits taxable?
No, veteran's benefits, paid under any law and administered by the VA should not be reported as income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

11. What happens if I drop a course during the semester?
If you drop a course and the adjustment changes your training time you must notify CCAC Military and Veterans Services at so that they can inform the VA of a change in training time. This must be done even if you have already notified the VA on the WAVE system. A change in training time will affect your rate of payment, and failure to notify your campuses Military and Veterans Services Representative in a timely manner could result in an overpayment that you are required to pay back.

12. What is VA Work-Study and who is eligible?
The VA work-study program is an excellent avenue for students to supplement their income while attending school. Generally, students are placed in the VA Office at the college or university they attend. Interested students should contact the VA Representative at the college or university they attend for position availability. Also, check the Atlanta Regional Processing Office and VA Medical Center.

13. I receive Chapter 30, 1606, 1607 or VRAP educational benefits and have to verify my enrollment each month. How do I do that?
Anyone receiving Chapter 30, 1606, 1607, or VRAP must verify their enrollment each month to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in order to receive payment for that month. Your enrollment can be verified on the last calendar day of the month by using the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE) system or by calling the toll free, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone line, at 1-877-823-2378.

14. How many credits to I have to take in order to be a "full time" student by VA standards?
In order to be considered "full time" for VA purposes, please follow the charts listed below for the semester you are enrolling. 

15. What programs offered through CCAC are approved for VA funding?
Please visit the Department of Veterans Affairs WEAMS website for an official list of what programs are approved by the VA.